New to the art of straight razor shaving...Help!

Hey everyone,

For the past few months I have been receiving a straight razor shave at a local barbershop when I go in for a haircut. The shave is incredible! I decided I wanted to enter the world of straight razor shaving myself instead of having my barber continue to do it.

I have read through the forums posts "A beginners guide to straight razor shaving" and "buying a beginner's set on a budget". And I have watched quite a few youtube videos posted to the forum regarding beginning straight razor shaving. These articles and videos gave me awesome information but still left one question unanswered!

I am new to straight razor shaving and I am well aware that the price you pay is the quality you get...however, I would like to purchase a proper "entry-level" blade to begin my experience.

The beginners sets I have found online across multiple web pages seem to be mostly crap..expect the more expensive ones of course.

So StraightRazorPlace! What was the blade you first started shaving with? Any suggestions for reasonably priced beginner's blades and/or sets(true shave ready blades)?

Thanks

Dovo best quality 5/8 round tip. I didn't know it when I got it but the spine was warped! My favorite new is TI 6/8 round tip. I can't tell you what you would like though. I don't think you can go wrong with that. As far as vintage goes, the line is out the door and around the block! Too many to talk about.

From what I have researched the Dovo Best Quality is going to run me about 80 bones.....

Sounds like a deal. Or you can get 2 shave ready at whipped dog for that.

have a look at the classifieds here, There is a Burrell topflight on there now for a very reasonable price, nice razors and Stimpy offers free honing up to three times. Ideal beginners razor.

Check out the classifieds here you can find some very solid, ready razors.

I believe your money might go a little further if you look at the Classified's on here, chances are it will be shave ready to boot.
My first razor was a Boker 5/8 Red injun square point that I found in a Antique shop for $39 I cleaned it up, sanitized, and honed it, my first strop was from Star shaving, first soap was Williams mug soap, so maybe $70 invested total and some frustration (honing) and a little elbow grease. BUT if honing your own razor is not an option, the Classified's are your best bet or Straight razor designs sells new shave ready razors and I believe they will hone it a second time free, hones aren't cheap.

I bought a Dovo Best Quality 6/8 for my 1st razor and it is still in my rotation. I bought it from Straight Razor Designs as part of a kit. You will need a razor, a strop, a brush and some soap or cream to get you started. I would highly recommend getting started with Straight Razor Designs because their pricing is good and the razor comes shave ready (some sites say their razors are shave ready but they aren't). They also give you a coupon for a 2nd honing for free which is nice because you will probably roll the edge learning to strop. You can buy a used razor for less but if its not honed properly you will have a difficult time learning to shave. This way you know the problem isn't the razor. Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by mb2014

From what I have researched the Dovo Best Quality is going to run me about 80 bones.....

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80 bones is a great deal for a new razor & you can be sure the razor is not near it's use by date. Of course, if you know what to look for, 2nd hand can be a cheaper alternative. If you don't it may well cost you more.

I started with the DOVO too. Nice razor, but if you really come to like this hobby you'll want something wider and nicer. I believe that "poor men pay twice" - hence I've bought another razor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mb2014

Hey everyone,

For the past few months I have been receiving a straight razor shave at a local barbershop when I go in for a haircut. The shave is incredible! I decided I wanted to enter the world of straight razor shaving myself instead of having my barber continue to do it.

I have read through the forums posts "A beginners guide to straight razor shaving" and "buying a beginner's set on a budget". And I have watched quite a few youtube videos posted to the forum regarding beginning straight razor shaving. These articles and videos gave me awesome information but still left one question unanswered!

I am new to straight razor shaving and I am well aware that the price you pay is the quality you get...however, I would like to purchase a proper "entry-level" blade to begin my experience.

The beginners sets I have found online across multiple web pages seem to be mostly crap..expect the more expensive ones of course.

So StraightRazorPlace! What was the blade you first started shaving with? Any suggestions for reasonably priced beginner's blades and/or sets(true shave ready blades)?

Thanks

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I have a bluebeards revenge shavette, with a quality DE blade snapped in half and loaded into it, you will find that it will do it's intended job the same as any expensive straight razor. With an expensive straight razor you are paying for the quality of the scale material so one made of wood or real ivory is going to cost a lot more than a blade with a plastic handle.

The upside of a cheap shavette is you don't need to buy any strops, pastes or hones to keep your razor in tip-top condition.

I am still using the razor with no intension of changing to a proper straight razor.... your barber probably uses a shavette with a disposable blade to shave your face.